Canadian beach volleyball player Guylaine Dumont back on court

MONTREAL –Canadian volleyball legend Guylaine Dumont of St-Antoine-de-Tilly, Que., is coming out of retirement at age 42 with the objective to compete at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Sportcom is reporting that Dumont will pair up with 24-year-old Marie-Christine Mondor of Mascouche, Que., who convinced Dumont to return to action.

‘’Marie-Christine is one of the most talented athletes I have seen in beach volleyball,’’ Dumont told Sportcom. ‘’She is physically very strong and has all the tools to be a solid player at the international level.’’

Dumont competed at the 2004 Olympics in beach volleyball and placed fifth with Annie Martin of Sherbrooke, Que.

She was a former player with Canada's national indoor team and played at several major international events between 1985 and 1991. She also played professionally in Italy and Japan from 1990 to 1997. In 1998, the Canadian volleyball publication True North named her Canada's best ever female player.

Dumont switched to beach volleyball in 2001 and earned nine national titles and was ninth at the 2003 world championships with Martin. Since her retirement she has continued to be a sports consultant and coach. She was one of four athlete ambassadors for Quebec’s Road to Excellence program towards the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Mondor, who came 4th at the 2009 Beach National Championship, is thrilled she can tap into Dumont’s experience this season.

‘’She is still one of Canada’s best players,’’ said Mondor. ‘’Beach volleyball requires a lot of experience. I’ve played five years on the international circuit but I still feel I need more. My goals are only reachable by playing with someone of Guylaine’s experience.’’

The pair plans to train in Quebec City and in Toronto at the national training centre. Their first tournament is scheduled for June 12-13 in Montreal.